THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

This letter will probably ramble a great deal because it is written straight from the heart. First, I want to say how much my family and I appreciate the supporting calls and letters we have received these last few weeks from the community, fans, former players, and colleagues. Your kind words have helped us greatly during this difficult time. You have all meant so much to us over the years.

Ever since I was a kid it seems that I've always been looking for a place to call home. When I came to Cape sixteen years and three months ago I felt this would be just another stopping off place for me. I would build another basketball program and then move on to another area. But, you know what? This place was different. I learned why people call Missouri the Show-Me State. You don't just come to this area and become automatically accepted. You must prove yourself to the people. But if you do that--if you work hard and treat people decently and live up to your promises--the people of this area will accept you and give you their support. I will never forget the loyalty and encouragement the people of this region have given me. I've dreamed a lot of dreams in this place, and with your help a lot of them came true.

I like people who say Show Me, because nothing has been easy for me. The good Lord has tested my faith throughout my life with many challenges and tragedies. Many times I've wanted to give up, but He has always helped me to persevere. I guess this is the reason I loved athletics so much when I was growing up. On the field or the court it didn't matter who you were, or the color of your skin; you were always equal and you had the opportunity to show people your worth. What really mattered was that you always give your best and never, ever quit.

I know you'll understand if at this point I choose to reminisce just a little bit. It all began with people like Marvin Rosengarten, Bill Stacy, and Frank Chong who believed in me and felt I could lead their basketball program. As Peg and I stood at center court in old Houck Field House I told her the job would be unbelievably hard, but let's go for it if it was offered. That first year I wore our car out recruiting, which Peg didn't appreciate, but guys like Terry Mead and Alan Barnett came into the fold. Jewell Crawford was already here. They were followed by players like Ronnie Rankin, Riley Ellis, Dwayne Rutherford, Danny Dohogne, Michael Morris, Donnie McClinton, Mike Lewis, Devon Lake, Thomas Thames, Anthony Hall, Kirt Cochran, Chris Arand, and Tony Wofford, to name only a few. We built a powerful Division II program which had to be dealt with for ten years. Eight NCAA appearances, seven regional titles, and two national runner-up trophies were accomplished by these teams. It was a great ride for everyone. Toward the end of those ten years I watched the Show Me Center being built. During its construction I would go up to the site every night and watch the progress. I knew every stone and what time it was laid, every steel support and when it was erected.

Then the talk began about a move to Division I. I had already experienced that move in Chattanooga and remembered how difficult it had been, even without the eight-year rule. I knew it would be much more difficult now. I also knew that the gender equity movement was in full swing, and this would make funding a problem. I was not opposed to gender equity, because I knew it was fair and just; but I recognized that it would require additional funds which would make Division I funding extremely difficult. But my concern fell on deaf ears and off we went to Division I.

Just as I had predicted, the recruiting fell off and hard times set in. This was the most challenging time of my entire career. I had never had a losing season, and now they came in numbers. Ironically, I feel that my best coaching jobs were done in this period. My staff and I worked overtime just to stay respectable. We had to almost manufacture every basket.

During this period leadership in our athletic department was zero. Criticism wasn't what we needed, but more funding and encouragement and loyalty. I felt the pressure mounting two years prior to the termination. It was men's basketball that paid the bills, and the pressure was on to win and keep the money coming in. As the title of Bob Hamblin's book states, it's "Win or Win."

One of my biggest disappointments is that I won't be here to coach next year's team. We had four quality players returning and our recruiting was the best since turning Division I, plus the eight-year rule was no longer a factor. I was looking forward to competing for the OVC championship next season.

During my coaching and playing career there are many things in which I take great pride. A national championship, three runner-ups, Hall of Fame at Tennessee Tech, Circle of Fame at UT-Chattanooga, almost 500 college wins, and a short career with the St. Louis Cardinals--these are all things that I cherish. But the things I am most proud of are the accomplishments of my players and coaches. As many of them come back to see me, they always say, "Coach, you've won a lot of games, but what people forget about you is that most of us graduated. You were hard, but you were fair. You gave us all an opportunity to be successful, on and off the court."

Let me close by saying that the people of southeast Missouri have been, and will always be, a big part of my life. In my years here I have learned to appreciate the strong character of the people of this area. I wanted to be part of this and be accepted. You allowed that to happen, and I am a better person and coach because of it. Wherever my journey leads me from this day forward, Southeast Missouri will always be my home. And you good people will always be in my prayers.

Thanks for the memories.

Ron Shumate is the former Indian basketball coach at Southeast Missouri State University.